What Am I Supposed To Do?

[AstonN24vantage]

hi all. i am going on a big trip soon and have been wondering about my turtles (just read on and you'll prob realize why i didnt put it in reptile section). anyway, i have been told to get plants and feeder guppies to feed while im away. my turtles are res and between 2 and 2.5 inches long, and there are two. the major problem is water quality. i tested my water and got over 15.0 ppm for nitrite, and well over 300 ppm for nitrate. its been about 2 weeks since my last water change, and i just conducted one a few minutes ago. i am really not sure how any sort of fish is supposed to survive in these conditions, after all, ive had the filter working for a month. i will be away for a week and am very puzzled. and how many feeders should i buy for 2 turtle hatchlings for a week? how many plants? (i was thinking elodea)

THANK YOU!!!

 

[Vidster]

its been about 2 weeks since my last water change, and i just conducted one a few minutes ago. i am really not sure how any sort of fish is supposed to survive in these conditions, after all, ive had the filter working for a month. i will be away for a week and am very puzzled.

I am only just returning to this after some 12 years away so do not take anything i say as gospel....

Now. As i understand your post. Your filter was introduced to the tank 1 month ago. If this is true then there is a good chance your tank has not yet cycled 100%. This could be the reason for your high results. I would suggest a large water replacement asap. From there i would suggest a 10% water change every 2 days (ideally). Pretty much the same as if you were setting up a tropical fish tank using an in-fish cycle.

I do not know the feeding requirements of a turtle but a fish can easily go a week without food. If i didn't know better i would say feeding them up a little and a large water change before you leave would surfice.

Once again though. I am just coming back to this and i know little about turtles. Please wait for someone to confirm anything i suggested

 

[AstonN24vantage]

well, some info is better than none anyway, cheers. im going sat., so it is fairly soon. i think it is in the later stages of cycling though because i have nitrite.

 

[fishnovice]

well, some info is better than none anyway, cheers. im going sat., so it is fairly soon. i think it is in the later stages of cycling though because i have nitrite.

DON'T use feeder guppies, it's cruel to fish and they will probably die quickly in the unhealthy tank water and add to the pollution. Also if they are not used to catching fish, baby turtles may not realise that fish are meant to be dinner. You need to do frequent water changes with turtles as they are very messy. Otherwise water gets cloudy and smells. Nitrite levels are not critical with turtles unlike fish but bacteria build up, smell, hygiene and risk of infection are very imp
Best idea is to get one of those automatic fish feeder devices and fill it with small pellets for baby turtles. If you live in UK, Turtle Rescue Centre sell baby turtle pellets very cheap, about £9 for a year's supply.This will ensure they get a healthy meal every day/ Also leave a lettuce leaf in the tank while you are away as a veggie snack.
If you look in the Turtle section of this forum there have been several useful posts about keeping turtles recently

 

[AstonN24vantage]

cheers fishnovice . i guess you are right about the fish feeder. while i am away, i guess i will just feed the fish the gel stuff that comes in a tray from like tetra or something.